Hello from BC!

[dandelion]

Hi everyone,

I recently acquired a drag car with a mystery 440 in it. The car had "10.90" in grease paint still on the window when I bought it, so I'm guessing the motor is pretty hot! All I really know is that it previously ran on Sunoco 110 fuel, and that it may have been bored out to a displacement of 512 cu.in. or more. If you've got tips on how to identify the motor and its modifications further, I'm all ears.

The car sat for a few years, so I've been advised to change the valve springs and otherwise nut & bolt the car. I'd be very grateful for any other suggestions from this forum on how to refresh the motor and get it race-ready again.

I'd also love any tips on things to look out for with the 440 motor. Most of my engine experience is with fuel-injected 4-cylinders from the 90s-00s, and this is my first real foray into the world of classic American muscle.

I'll use the forum search as best I can, but please do share links to your favourite old threads on 440 drag motors if you've got 'em. It seems like this forum is the biggest hub for classic Mopar on the 'net, so I'm glad to be here and eager to learn all I can from all of you.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Welcome to FBBO!

 

[Photon440]

Welcome, dandelion. It'll be hard to identify a lot of modifications to your engine, aside from obvious bolt ons, without opening it up to measure things.

What sort of drag car is the engine in? We like pictures here.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

 

[68gtxman]

Hi everyone,

I recently acquired a drag car with a mystery 440 in it. The car had "10.90" in grease paint still on the window when I bought it, so I'm guessing the motor is pretty hot! All I really know is that it previously ran on Sunoco 110 fuel, and that it may have been bored out to a displacement of 512 cu.in. or more. If you've got tips on how to identify the motor and its modifications further, I'm all ears.

The car sat for a few years, so I've been advised to change the valve springs and otherwise nut & bolt the car. I'd be very grateful for any other suggestions from this forum on how to refresh the motor and get it race-ready again.

I'd also love any tips on things to look out for with the 440 motor. Most of my engine experience is with fuel-injected 4-cylinders from the 90s-00s, and this is my first real foray into the world of classic American muscle.

I'll use the forum search as best I can, but please do share links to your favourite old threads on 440 drag motors if you've got 'em. It seems like this forum is the biggest hub for classic Mopar on the 'net, so I'm glad to be here and eager to learn all I can from all of you.

Welcome!

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

North

Maybe post in the "Racers Hangout" as well

 

[Don Frelier]

Welcome from NY.
To get displacement in the 500 cu. inch range it would need a crank with more stroke.
Before you just start putting parts on it (like valve springs)pull the valve covers and rotate the crank at least 2 times around and then see if you can get it running.

 

[69Bee]

Welcome from AZ...

 

[Fran Blacker]

Welcome from Connecticut. Need some pictures of this Mighty Mopar! What are you going to do with the car, race or street?

 

[oldbee]

Welcome aboard from Ohio.

 

[Dave6T4]

Welcome to FBBO from Ontario. Congratulations on your first REAL motor. LOL

 

[ckessel]

Welcome from the central coast of Cal.

 

[HD539]

Welcome from Washington State.

 

[Dennis H]

Welcome.

 

[polywideblock]

G'day from Australia

 

[68sprtsat383]

Welcome

 

[Unkle Krusty]

Gidday from Gabriola, BC
We are planning on going to the all British Show May long weekend. Van Dusen Gardens Vancouver.

 

[Budnicks]

Welcome to FBBO from NorCal Sierras

engine cid
(all measured in inches)
bore x bore x stroke x 8 x 0.7854 = cid displacement
will need to measure both the bore & stroke to know for sure
440 (fact. spec. is 4.32" bore x 3.75" stroke) if it's an RB/hi-deck 'raised block'
or a
400 (factory 4.340" x 3.375" stroke, the 400 has a stronger block to start with)
B/Low-deck block, starts out with a 0.020" bigger bore & better/thicker/stronger main webbing
than the 440 has

if it's a 383 B it's the weaker of the blocks
but still a good engine to build
most of them will interchange many parts,
except intake, distributors or connecting rod length & push rod length
they do share a lot like oil-pans oil-pumps, front timing covers, flywheels/flex plates,
trans bellhousings bolt patterns
a few more
the RB has longer connecting rods & push rods or wider intake
to accommodate the taller/Raised block
some other differences too
RB has a larger diameter main bearing on the crankshaft too

you need to figure out what block style you have
& what stroke & bore you have
an easy way to tell at a quick glance if a B or an RB style
a 440/or any (RB 413, 426w, 440) RB Raised Block/taller deck
will have a lil' like 2" squared-ish pad, in front of the intake valley pan,
on the right front side

a B series low deck block
(most common B/383 std smaller bore of 4.25", 4.34" for the 400,
both have the same crank stroke, same connecting rod Push-rods & main bore diameter)
neither doesn't have that 'cast in' pad mentioned above

there's casting marks on the side of the block too, year, date & cid

I'd highly suggest get a few books on the subject & a Factory Service manual
for year & make of the car


good luck

 

[kiwigtx]

Welcome to FBBO @dandelion from New Zealand.

Just to clarify.......